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Important Birding Areas (IBA's) in Schuyler County

 According to Audubon NY:

Queen Catharine Marsh 

Members of the Schuyler County Bird Club have recorded 64 species of birds in the marsh, with hundreds more identified.
The marsh is listed by the National Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area (IBA), supporting – according to the Audubon Society – “at-risk species, including the American Black Duck (migrant), Common Loon (migrant), Pied-billed Grebe (confirmed breeder), American Bittern, Least Bittern, Osprey (first nest seen in 2003), Bald Eagle (migrant), American Woodcock, Willow Flycatcher, Sedge Wrens (sporadic), Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler (attempted nesting), and Rusty Blackbird (migrant). Other wetland-dependent species that breed here include Virginia Rails, Soras, Marsh Wrens, and Swamp Sparrows.

This site is listed in the 2002 NYS Open Space Conservation Plan as a priority site under the project name Catharine Valley Complex. Potential development along Route 14/414 and Rock Cabin Road threaten the site. Attempts to protect the road and riparian area have been ineffective. Wildlife and avian activity and status are monitored, with reports issued by the Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory.   

Connecticut Hill Area
According to Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory (May 2001), temporary field biology research sites are scattered throughout the forest in both Schuyler and Tompkins Counties. These sites are related primarily to student research supported by area universities. A permanent Ruffed Grouse research area is within the WMA. Pure northern hardwoods, Hemlock and White Pine make up a highland ecology that allows research into altitude loving species. http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/schuyler/planning/CD/text/appendix_f/natural_assets.pdf

Finger Lakes National Forest
According to Kestrel Haven Avian Migration Observatory (May 2001), some fields are managed for grassland bird species including the threatened Henslow’s Sparrow while other acreage is cooperatively managed by local sportsman as Ring-necked Pheasant habitat. The forest is listed as an Audubon Important Bird Area. Threats to the area include clear-cut logging, destruction of trails by high impact users such as horses and ATVs, mining and vandalism. In 2001, the forest engaged in an Environmental Impact Study to determine the feasibility of allowing natural gas exploration in the forest. Portions of the forest host several species of uncommon plants Volunteers may assist in three ongoing projects: Inventory of Management Indicator Species (American Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse and Chestnut-sided Warbler); Wood Duck and Eastern Bluebird Nest Box Maintenance and Grassland Bird Nest Monitoring. Further flora and fauna studies have been completed or are active under the cooperative leadership of local universities and federal biologists. All data are publicly available to researchers. A cooperative nesting/banding study of American Kestrels is also active. http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/schuyler/planning/CD/text/appendix_f/natural_assets.pdf

Seneca Lake provides wintering habitat for many species of waterfowl. View the map at: http://ny.audubon.org/Images/IBA_map.pdf


Other areas to find birds in Schuyler County:
Arnot Forest
Sugar Hill Reforestation Area
Catharine Valley Trail
Watkins Glen State Park
Waneta & Lamoka Lakes

In NYS, according to http://www.birding.com/ State bird is the Eastern Bluebird
Species Seen in New York: 459